If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or YouTube lately, you’ve probably seen it. A high-gloss video thumbnail claiming a new track called "Queens Don't Cry" or "Lonely Days" featuring Selena Gomez and Nicki Minaj just dropped. It looks real. The vocals sound suspiciously like them. But here’s the cold, hard truth: it’s all AI.
Honestly, the "Selika" or "Selenika" fandom is one of the most dedicated corners of the internet. They’ve been manifesting a collaboration for over a decade. Yet, as we head further into 2026, the official discography remains empty. No studio booth photos. No surprise Coachella cameos. Just a lot of mutual respect and a history of social media "stan" behavior that keeps the rumors on life support.
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The "Super Bass" Era and Where it Started
The obsession didn't just come out of nowhere. It actually started in 2011. Imagine a 19-year-old Selena Gomez, still very much in her Disney-transition era, wearing a pink gown backstage at the People's Choice Awards. She posted a video of herself rapping Nicki’s "Super Bass" verse perfectly.
It went viral. Like, 11 million views viral—which was a massive number back then.
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Selena wasn't just doing it for the cameras, either. She performed the rap again during her tour stop in Hershey, Pennsylvania, rocking a hoodie and a whole lot of "Barbz" energy. This wasn't some calculated PR move to look edgy. It was a genuine fan moment. Nicki Minaj noticed, too. She famously gave Selena a shoutout on Instagram years later, calling her a "low key savage" after seeing another clip of Selena lip-syncing her music.
The Confusion Over "Ice Cream"
A huge point of confusion for casual fans is the song "Ice Cream." You’ll often find "Ice Cream Remix ft. Nicki Minaj" floating around YouTube.
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Let's set the record straight: Nicki Minaj is not on the official song. The original track is by BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez. Because Nicki had previously collaborated with other pop heavyweights like Ariana Grande and Katy Perry, fans just... assumed she’d fit perfectly. They made "mashups" that sounded so seamless they started appearing in people's Spotify Wrapped as if they were official releases. They aren't.
Why Haven't They Worked Together?
It’s a valid question. They both move in the same circles. They share mutual friends like Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande. So, what's the hold-up?
- Genre Mismatch: Selena has leaned heavily into moody, atmospheric pop and "Rare" vibes lately. Nicki, even in her melodic moments, usually looks for high-energy club beats or hard-hitting rap landscapes.
- The Benny Blanco Factor: In 2024 and 2025, Selena’s relationship with producer Benny Blanco became a focal point of her life. While Benny works with everyone, the industry politics of who produces what can sometimes create silos that make certain collaborations harder to navigate than fans realize.
- The AI Noise: Ironically, the flood of AI-generated "leaks" in late 2025 might be making a real collab less likely. When a fake song like "Beautiful Monster" gets millions of hits, it sometimes devalues the "event" feel of a real release.
What's Actually Happening in 2026?
Right now, both women are busy with their own empires. Selena is deeper into her acting career than ever, with Only Murders in the Building and her film projects taking up most of her calendar. Meanwhile, Nicki is coming off the massive tail end of her Pink Friday 2 era and focusing on her own "Heavy On It" label.
They are friendly. That’s the important part. There’s no "feud" here, despite what some Twitter accounts might try to stir up when awards season rolls around. In 2017, Nicki even grouped Selena with Ariana Grande as the "sweet and innocent" girls who are secretly tough.
How to Spot a Fake "Selena ft. Nicki" Track
If you see a new song title pop up, check these three things before you get your hopes up:
- The Channel Name: If it’s "EchoVerse Music" or "Shadowwings," it’s AI. Official releases will only be on the verified Selena Gomez or Nicki Minaj VEVO channels.
- The Production Quality: AI still struggles with "breathiness." If Selena’s voice sounds perfectly flat or Nicki’s rap lacks her signature "growl," it’s a bot.
- The Announcement: Neither of these women does "secret" drops without at least a cryptic Instagram Story 24 hours prior.
Basically, we're all still waiting. It’s one of those "in case of emergency, break glass" collaborations that the music industry is probably saving for a rainy day.
If you want to support the real artists, keep streaming the Pink Friday 2 tracks and Selena’s latest singles. Avoid the AI-generated "leaks" on YouTube, as these often divert royalties away from the actual creators. Check official press releases on Billboard or Variety for any legitimate "Selika" news before sharing "new" music links on social media.